USC’s Cody Kessler earns honorable mention in conference of QBs

USC quarterback Cody Kessler has produced some impressive statistics this season.

The junior has passed for 36 touchdowns, with only four interceptions. The numbers will no doubt put him in the Heisman Trophy conversation in 2015.

But in the Pac-12, a conference loaded with talented quarterbacks, Kessler earned only honorable-mention status when the league announced its all-conference teams Tuesday night.

Oregon’s Marcus Mariota, regarded as a favorite for the Heisman, was voted the first-team quarterback and the offensive player of the year.

Mariota has passed for 36 touchdowns, with two interceptions, and has rushed for 636 yards and 11 touchdowns while leading the Ducks to the Pac-12 title game.

UCLA’s Brett Hundley was voted to the second team. Hundley has passed for 21 touchdowns, with five interceptions, and has rushed for 548 yards and eight touchdowns.

Oregon State’s Sean Mannion, Arizona’s Anu Solomon, California’s Jared Goff, Washington State’s Connor Halliday and Colorado’s Sefo Liufau also were honorable mentions.

USC has not had a first-team all-conference quarterback since Mark Sanchez in 2008.

Matt Barkley was second-team all-conference in 2011, and an honorable mention in 2010 and 2012.